The season finale of Doctor Odyssey is fast approaching, and Ryan Murphy wants to make sure the series ends with a bang. Since its beginning, the show has kept us on our toes and the edge of our seats. That was the case with Doctor Odyssey Season 1, Episode 17, ‘The Wave.’
As is typically the case, there was a lot of high-stakes drama while managing a natural disaster. We also had more messiness for our complicated throuple, which drives us bananas with their back and forth. With Max’s “I love you” revelation, Avery had much to consider. With emotions running high for Max, Avery, and Tristan, this probably was not the best week for them to deal with passengers on board The Odyssey for a group wedding ceremony.
Unencumbered emotions
Avery and Max’s relationship has always been complicated. But it became even more so once they had a threesome with Tristan. Since then, she’s tried to find a way to get back to the way things were. Unfortunately, sex always changes things. Max had feelings for Avery from the start and hasn’t shied away from saying so. He’s put his cards on the table quite a few times. But Avery has shut him down at every turn. That’s why we were surprised when she suggested they have a no-strings-attached sexual relationship in Doctor Odyssey Season 1, Episode 16, ‘Double-Booked.’
As we have said before, Max is not like that. Everything he does involves emotions, which is why he couldn’t have the unencumbered, emotionless sex that Avery wanted. She should not have been surprised that he told her he was in love with her. He’s an intense guy who almost lost his life to COVID-19. He doesn’t believe in wasting a minute. Avery should have understood this, but she was angry with him. He thought she was ready to admit her feelings when she shot him a text to talk. Instead, she stopped by to give him a piece of her mind.
Max didn’t understand initially why Avery was so angry with him, but we did. Even though she basically lied to his face about the reason. According to her, she was furious with him because his admission would make it harder for her to leave for medical school. Max thought she was angry because she felt the same way and was just running from those feelings. She denied it, of course, but to say that someone telling you that they love you will now make it harder for you to leave has to involve feelings. She would not have been so angry if she hadn’t been in love with Max. Nor would she have lashed out and told him, “I do not love you, Max Bankman.”
More: Remember our reaction to that threesome? Check out our review for Doctor Odyssey Season 1, Episode 6, ‘I Always Cry At Weddings.’
Cold And Serious
Like Max, Tristan has been dealing with his feelings for Avery since Doctor Odyssey Season 1, Episode 1, ‘Pilot.’ However, his response has been slightly different in handling his emotions and the situation. There has been this crazy back and forth between them, yet Tristan has stayed by her side no matter what. As we predicted in Doctor Odyssey Episode 16, when he agreed to her arrangement to have unencumbered, emotionless sex, we knew it was going to backfire. Tristan is a very observant guy. He was fully aware of the tension between Max and Avery before he left the ship for the day.
In the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, Tristan and Avery had time alone to talk. He encouraged Avery to be truthful with him about what was happening between her and Max because he sensed something was happening. One thing we all know about asking for the truth is that you may not always like what you hear. That was definitely the case with Tristan once Avery told him Max declared his love for her. This piece of information set him off, and we knew it was coming.
Though Tristan lashed out at Avery, and some things he said were harsh, we would be lying if we said we didn’t feel bad for him. But we also recognize that he knew what he was getting himself into. Two things can be true. Tristan thought he was doing everything Avery asked of him. And as we said, he felt that would give him some advantage over Max. But he realized that was never going to be the case. Tristan can’t understand why Avery can’t see past Max when he has been by her side the entire time. Tristan has been up front about his feelings, and he thought Avery could see that. It was so apparent that he felt it should have also been evident to her. Sadly, Avery doesn’t see him like he sees her.
The Ones We Left Behind
When Max decided to leave The Odyssey for a day to clear his mind of all things Avery, he was not expecting to be caught in a natural disaster. When the 7.9 magnitude quake hit and triggered a tsunami, he and everyone on land had to return to The Odyssey. But because a Ryan Murphy show gonna Ryan Murphy, he and a few other passengers could not make it back to port in time. Because of this, Captain Massey had to choose to leave him and the others behind to ensure those on board were not hurt.
One of the things that made this episode so impactful was its reminder that there is more that unites us than divides us. Everyone on the beach that was able, was welcomed aboard The Odyssey to hunker down till the tsunami warning was over. This did present a challenge for Avery who was designated as Chief Medical Officer once Captain Massey realized Max wouldn’t make it back in time. She and Tristan had to work together to manage the multiple passengers with injuries. Including Marcus, a man who had to have 347 shards of glass removed from his skin after being hit when a chandelier collapsed.
Avery and Tristan were able to help the man. However, he suffered complications after a piece of glass was found to be causing an embolism. This meant that Avery would have to perform a solo procedure to remove it. Thankfully, she had Max’s support until she didn’t.
Like Avery and Tristan, Max also tended to those on land who were injured. After finding a walkie-talkie, he could radio in and update Captain Massey and Avery. Just as he was giving her some guided assistance to help Marcus, they lost contact when a 6.8-magnitude aftershock hit. The look on Avery’s face told us everything we already knew. She has feelings for Max; we don’t mean unencumbered, emotionless ones. We hope she can tell him how she feels and that the two will be reunited.
Other Thoughts
- To all TV shows, please put those text message bubbles up on the screen. We can’t see the cellphone screens from our couches.
- Loosened top shirt button, a spritz of cologne, and music. Max was a little too excited for Avery dropping by his room.
- Sean Teale was looking especially handsome in this episode.
- Reina’s “Where you go, I go” to Lance was giving Jack and Rose Titanic vibes.
- We felt Captain Masseys frustration about the tsunami warning.
- Tristan should have left deck Karen on the deck.
- Tristan telling deck Karen they were the immigrants while they were docked in Mexico. True statement.
- Watching that wave broadside The Odyssey was our reminder we are good on land.
- Jules falling down the stairs, Marcus getting hit by a chandelier… This is why you stay in your cabin!
- Sean Teale speaking Spanish. Yes.
- “We need more room. And help.”
- Tristan recruiting passengers with medical training was so real.
- “The Odyssey is a floating fortress.” At this point, after all the ship has faced, we believe that.
- Barry talks a lot, but he’s not a bad guy to have around.
- Diego and Peanut. HEARTBREAKING.
- “He snaps and you jump.” Ouch Tristan. Ouch.
- “You lied. You lied to yourself.”
- “I will not do all the right things and be second choice.” WHOA Tristan. We didn’t realize this was a competition.
- This is why unencumbered, emotionless sex NEVER works, Avery.
- Uh-oh. Tristan is drinking again. Another thing we predicted he’d do if things didn’t go well with Avery.
- When Captain Massey says he’ll return for you, he means it.
Doctor Odyssey airs on ABC on Thursdays at 9/8c.
What did you think of Doctor Odyssey Season 1, Episode 17? Let us know in the comments below!
